PENANG,  17 March 2007

Apprentice Magendran s/o Gunasilan (G Magen) will be out of the saddle for two years after being found guilty of two charges against him.

Firstly, in an inquiry yesterday, G Magen, in the presence of his master Peter Tennent, pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 136(3)(b) and the particulars of the charge were that a urine sample taken from him after he rode SILENT PROXY in Race 7 at the Perak Turf Club February/March Meeting 2007 on 4 March 2007 (Sample Coded "J0639"), on analysis, revealed the presence of “Cannabis”, a prohibited substance under the MRA Regulations.

App G Magen was disqualified for a period of one year with immediate effect from March 16 and to expire on March 15, 2008, both days inclusive. He was advised of his right of appeal.

In a separate inquiry into the running and riding of SILENT PROXY in a Class 5, Div 1 - 1200m sprint on March 4, Magen, the rider of SILENT PROXY, in the presence of his master, trainer Peter Tennent, pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(8) in that whist riding SILENT PROXY in the above race, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that SILENT PROXY was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing in the race.

The particulars of the charge were that, whilst under the influence of “Cannabis”, he rode the horse SILENT PROXY with insufficient vigour and determination in the home straight of the race.

After considering the provisions of MRA Rule 44(8)(a), App G Magen was disqualified for a period of one year to run consecutively with his previous penalty, i.e. from March 15, 2008 and to expire on March 15, 2009, both days inclusive. He was advised of his right of appeal.